God’s Love In Action at 30 Thousand Feet
Beloved, let us [unselfishly] love and seek the best for one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves [others] is born of God and knows God [through personal experience].
1 John 4:7 AMP
I must admit that “unselfishly loving and seeking the best for others” isn’t the first thing I think of when I’m in the middle of traveling and all the unpredictable things that can happen and often do.
We boarded our flight from Orlando to Mexico City with more than the usual hustle and bustle. A lady who entered the airplane with two large dogs began arguing with the female passenger sitting across the aisle from me in the window seat who politely verified that she was in the correct seat. With the assertive lady and her two dogs finally settled in their places, that wonderful feeling of relief that a traveler experiences after making it through security to the flight and sitting back ready to relax washed over me. We had worked hard to prepare for this ministry trip and were looking forward to a restful flight. However, that wonderful moment was quickly interrupted when a man abruptly sat in the empty seat next to the polite lady who I realized was his wife. He was noticeably concerned and a little agitated. I couldn’t help but overhear that he was experiencing a problem with his eye. She suggested he go ahead and put in some eye drops his doctor had given him. The husband agreed and teased his wife about them sitting separately as he returned to his seat.
Soon after take-off, he returned to that empty seat next to her to say that his eye was still bothering him and that he might need her help putting the drops in. The flight attendant, noticing all the back-and-forth, kindly asked if she could assist them. Daniel let the attendant know that he was having an issue with his eye, but declined any further help, believing that another dose of drops would soon make things better. A little later, Daniel once again made his way back to that empty seat, but this time he was obviously in even more pain and with worry written all over his face. This time, the flight attendant told him to stay seated next to his wife while she took note of his symptoms and worsening condition. Emerging from speaking with the pilots in the cockpit, the flight attendant made an announcement asking if there was a doctor on board, and that he would please come forward. Once it was apparent that there wasn’t a doctor on the flight, I leaned over and let Daniel and his wife know that my husband and I were ministers. The flight attendant looked at me and asked if I was a doctor. I replied that I wasn’t, but that I am a minister! With a confused smile, she directed her attention to Daniel again; however, this time, he told her that he was not able to see outof that eye, and the pain was far worse. At that point, she immediately sprang into action to alert the pilots.
It became evident that the pilots and crew were determined to get Daniel some medical attention as soon as possible. While the flight attendant was gone, I leaned over to tell Daniel and his wife that I would like to pray for Daniel’s eye. I told Daniel that God loved him and wanted to heal him. They agreed to receive prayer, so while the crew was scurrying around, I commanded the pain to leave and healing to restore his eye. He looked a little surprised but thanked me. Right after I prayed, it didn’t seem like anything had changed except that Daniel looked a little calmer. This time, the flight attendant returned with a plan and a determined look. The crew decided that Daniel needed to be seen by a doctor and therefore diverted the flight to Merida! I have flown on many, many flights, but had never been on one that was being diverted! After a more serious conversation, Daniel agreed to their plan. The flight attendant announced to everyone that a passenger on board needed medical attention and that the plane would be making an emergency stop in Merida.
A sense of urgency filled the plane. We felt the aircraft change course as soon as she finished giving detailed instructions. We were en route to our new destination when Daniel called the flight attendant back to tell her that he could see out of his eye again, and the pain was going away. I’m not sure who was more shocked, the flight attendant or Daniel. He insisted that he no longer needed medical attention because now he could see out of his eye, and the pain was gone! Soon, the plane was rerouted back to Mexico City, and we landed safely. According to emergency procedures, a team of medics came aboard before we were allowed to deplane to confirm that Daniel was no longer having a medical emergency. Praise the Lord, we even had time to minister to Daniel and his wife about God’s love for them and how to receive Him!
Unselfishly loving and seeking the best for others isn’t something that I do perfectly, especially when I find myself in demanding situations. But thank the Lord when we are born again, His love and nature are abundantly poured out in our hearts (Romans 5:5 AMP), and we are joined to Him as one spirit (1Cor. 6:17). As I have gotten to know the Lord through the years, His love is always ready to rise up in us and lead the way in any situation. All we need to do is to respond to Him and act accordingly. As believers, we know that the very same spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in us and is working life in us (Rom. 8:11). That spirit is the Holy Spirit, and He wants to love others unselfishly and seek the best for them through our everyday lives! As women, we know that these opportunities to love others rarely come at an opportune moment.